John Vanbiesbrouck
| John Vanbiesbrouck | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Vanbiesbrouck in 2007
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| Born |
September 4, 1963 Detroit, Michigan, U.S. |
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| Height | 5 ft 8 in (173 cm) | ||
| Weight | 175 lb (79 kg; 12 st 7 lb) | ||
| Position | Goaltender | ||
| Caught | Left | ||
| Played for |
New York Rangers Florida Panthers Philadelphia Flyers New York Islanders New Jersey Devils |
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| National team |
 United States
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| NHL Draft | 72nd overall, 1981 New York Rangers |
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| Playing career | 1981–2002 | ||
| Medal record | ||
|---|---|---|
| Representing United States
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| Men's Ice hockey | ||
| Canada Cup | ||
 |
1991 Canada | |
John Vanbiesbrouck (born September 4, 1963), nicknamed "the Beezer" and "VBK", is an American professional ice hockey executive and former player. A goaltender as a player, he was inducted into the United States Hockey Hall of Fame in 2007. Vanbiesbrouck played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the New York Rangers, Florida Panthers, Philadelphia Flyers, New York Islanders, and New Jersey Devils. He began his career playing major junior hockey for the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). Following a successful season with the Greyhounds, he was drafted by the New York Rangers in the fourth round, 72nd overall, in the 1981 NHL Draft. After his junior career ended, he played for the Rangers minor league affiliate, the Tulsa Oilers of the Central Hockey League. Despite the team's near collapses due to financial concerns, Vanbiesbrouck led the Oilers to a league championship and shared the league's MVP honors.
He began playing full-time with the Rangers in the 1984–85 season. Vanbiesbrouck won the Vezina Trophy as the league's top goaltender and was named a First Team NHL All-Star the following season. After playing in parts of 11 seasons with the Rangers, he was taken in the 1993 NHL Expansion Draft by the Florida Panthers. In Florida, Vanbiesbrouck was a three-time all-star, and led the Panthers to their first and only Stanley Cup Finals appearance in 1996. While in Florida he recorded his 300th career victory, becoming the 15th goaltender and only the second American goalie in NHL history to do so. During his career, Vanbiesbrouck compiled a record of 374 wins, 346 losses, 119 ties, and 40 shutouts, making him the winningest American-born goaltender and, at the time, tying Frank Brimsek for most career shutouts by an American-born goaltender. Jonathan Quick of the Los Angeles Kings has since tied and broken their record for most career shutouts by an American-born goaltender.
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